Most new mothers are afraid of handling the baby’s umbilical cord stump, but it is important to keep the base of the stump clean and dry to prevent infection. Most hospitals still recommend the use of alcohol swabs for cleaning. The use of antiseptic powder is not recommended now as it may prevent the residual limb from falling off.
Remember: it is the base, not the stump, that needs to be kept clean!
1. Gently hold the tip of the residual limb and wipe around the base with the alcohol swab.
2. Let it air out for a few minutes before putting the diaper on. Keep the diaper folded under the cord to prevent urine from soaking it.
3. Never pull out the stump even if it appears to be hanging by a thread. Just cut the thread with a pair of scissors.
4. When the stump falls off, there may be some slight bleeding which is normal.
5. Most Western practices recommend sponge bathing only until the stump falls off. Actually, it’s okay to bathe the baby in the tub as long as you dry the base and stump properly with a tissue and then clean with the alcohol pad.
6. If you have a baby, point his penis down when you put his diaper on so he doesn’t urinate on the stump.
7. If you notice pus around the base, bad odor, red skin around the base, or the baby cries when you touch the cord, take the baby to the doctor as these are signs of infection.
Sometimes after the stump falls off, chunks of bulging flesh remain. This is called an “umbilical granuloma,” which often goes away on its own. Occasionally, it may require treatment from the baby’s doctor.
Some communities recommend applying ridiculous things to the stump, like incense ash, oil, cow dung, etc. It is dangerous to do this as it can only lead to infection, the most serious being tetanus.
You may be advised to place an abdominal binder over your navel to prevent air from entering your stomach. There is no connection between the navel and the stomach, so this cannot happen. The abdominal binder keeps the tummy warm so that the baby is comfortable and does not cry as much.
What to do with the stump?
Most people will tell you to “throw it out”. Some of us, for sentimental reasons, may want to keep it in a small clear plastic bag and put it in the baby album, along with the first lock of hair, tooth, etc.
In some parts of Malaysia, it is customary among Malays to keep the umbilical cord of all children and when the parents do not want any more children, the ends of the cord are boiled and the children are given water to drink. foster a closer relationship between siblings.
umbilical hernia
If the area around your baby’s belly button protrudes when he cries, he may have an umbilical hernia. This is a small hole in the abdominal muscle that allows tissue to bulge out when there is pressure inside the abdomen. It is not a serious condition and most will heal in twelve to eighteen months.
It can be very scary for parents when they look at the lump, especially if it is quite large (in their eyes), while the doctor says it is small. There is no need to do anything, just leave it alone and it will heal itself. Some parents may feel comfortable putting on an abdominal binder so they won’t see the bulge when the baby cries.
It’s ridiculous to put a coin in it, as some old women proclaim, because the coin can slide back and cause pressure on the skin where the baby lies. There you go. It’s very easy if you know how.